Pairing device for clothing

ABSTRACT

A pairing device for clothing that includes a base with at least one substantially flat surface base having a central axis perpendicular to a plane. The pairing device also includes two shafts attached to the substantially flat surface and parallel to the central axis at the point of attachment. The two shaft each having pointed ends, and the shafts are sized so as to be able to penetrate the clothing material without damaging it. The two shafts are flexible, resilient, and normally curved outwardly such that the pointed ends extend parallel to the substantially flat surface and in opposite directions with respect to each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/005,619, filed May 30, 2014, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a pairing device for clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keeping socks, gloves, mittens, or similar items paired together is a common problem that, for a long time, has defied a convenient solution. Any of these paired items can easily become separated before, during, and after laundering, or sometimes even during storage, or when traveling. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a device that keeps these clothing items paired during those situations where they might typically become separated.

Embodiments of the invention provide such a device. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a pairing device for clothing that includes a base with at least one substantially flat surface base having a central axis perpendicular to a plane. The pairing device also includes two shafts attached to the substantially flat surface and parallel to the central axis at the point of attachment. The two shaft each having pointed ends, and the shafts are sized so as to be able to penetrate clothing material without damaging it. The two shafts are flexible, resilient, and curved outwardly such that the pointed ends extend parallel to the substantially flat surface and in opposite directions with respect to each other.

In a particular embodiment, the two shafts are flexible such that a user can bend the outwardly curved shafts into a straight position to facilitate insertion into the clothing material. In another embodiment, the two shafts are flexible such that a user can bend the outwardly curved shafts into a straight position to facilitate insertion of the shafts into the clothing material, wherein, upon release of the shafts by the user, the shafts return to their respective outwardly curved position.

The pairing device may be made from injection molded plastic including, but not limited to, nylon, polypropylene, and polyurethane. However, it is also conceivable that the device could be made from metal or other suitable materials, such as Delrin®.

In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of pairing clothing. The method includes the steps of providing a pairing device having a base and two resilient shafts attached to a flat portion of the base, and bringing together two resilient shafts. The resilient shafts have pointed ends and, normally, are curved outwardly from a central portion of the base such that the pointed ends extend in opposite directions with respect to each other. Bringing together the two resilient shafts requires aligning the pointed ends such that the two resilient shafts are parallel and abutting. The method includes inserting the pointed ends into a pair of clothing items such the individual parts of the pair of clothing items are securely held together when the pointed ends are allowed to return to their normally outwardly-curved positions.

In a particular embodiment, the method further includes aligning the pointed ends such that the two resilient shafts are parallel and abutting, in order to remove one of the individual parts of the pair of clothing items from the pairing device before allowing the pointed ends to return to their normally outwardly-curved positions. In one embodiment, the pair of clothing items is a pair of socks. In an alternate embodiment, the pair of clothing items is a pair of gloves or mittens.

Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 include perspective and plan views of a pairing device for clothing, according to an embodiment of the invention.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a pairing device for clothing configured to keep clothing items such as gloves, mittens, or socks paired together before, during, and after laundering and during storage. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a pairing device 100. The pairing device 100 includes a base 102. In this embodiment, the base 102 is substantially flat having a substantially flat surface 106 and a central axis 104 that is perpendicular to the substantially flat surface 106. There are two shafts 108 connected to the base 102. The two shafts 108 are parallel to the central axis 104 at the point of connection to the base 102. In particular embodiments, the two shafts 108 are made from a flexible and resilient material. As shown in FIG. 1, the two shafts 108 are curved outwardly, away from the center of the base 102, in opposite directions, such that the distal ends of the two shafts 108 are substantially parallel to the substantially flat surface 106.

While the base 102 is shown in FIG. 1 as being circular, the base may also be constructed in a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, that of oval, triangle, rectangle, rhombus, hexagon, octagon, heart-shaped, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the base 102, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a diameter that ranges from 0.2-0.7 inches, and a thickness that ranges from approximately three hundredths of an inch to eight hundredths of an inch. In this embodiment, the tip-to-tip distance between the two shafts 108 ranges from 0.75-1.5 inches.

In certain embodiments, the pairing device 100 is made from some type of plastic material, such as polyurethane, polypropylene, or nylon. One of ordinary skill will recognize that the pairing device 100 could be injection molded, and made from materials compatible with this process. However, it is also envisioned that the pairing device 100 could be made using other machining processes from plastic, metal, or other similarly suitable materials, such as Delrin® for example. The distal ends of the two shafts 108 are pointed, and the shafts are sized so the shafts 108 can be inserted through sock, glove, or mitten material without damaging the material.

In operation, a user would pinch the distal ends of the resilient, flexible two shafts 108 to bring the shafts 108 together (e.g., between two fingers) so that the shafts 108 are straight rather than curved. In this configuration, the two shafts 108 are aligned at the ends such that the shafts 108 are parallel and abutting each other along the full length of each shaft 108. The two shafts 108, while straightened, are then inserted into the material of two adjacent clothing items (e.g., socks or gloves). When released by the user, the two shafts 108 return to their outwardly curved shape. The base 102 and the outwardly curved two shafts 108 keep two paired items on the pairing device 100.

Additionally, the pairing device 100 allows for the easy removal, or separation, of the paired items. After laundering, for example, the user brings the shafts 108 together as described above. Thus, one of the paired items can be removed from the pairing device 100 before releasing the shafts 108 allowing them to return to their normally outwardly-curved shape. In particular embodiment, the action of pulling the paired items will provide enough force to bring the shafts 108 together. Once the items are separated, the shafts 108 will return to their normal outwardly-curved orientation. In this way, the pairing device 100 remains on one of the paired clothing items. The pairing device 100 is small enough that it can remain on the clothing item while it is being worn. The pairing device 100 remains in place on one clothing item until the both items need to be paired again for laundering, storage, packing, etc.

Further, the pairing device 100 may serve as a way of distinguishing between multiple items of similar clothing. For example, when laundering clothes, it may be the case that different individuals (e.g., family members) have identical pieces of clothing. It may be difficult to distinguish between these items when they are laundered together. The pairing device 100 may be inserted in a shirt, pair of pants, or undergarment, to distinguish that item from an identical item without the pairing device 100. If there are more than two items to distinguish, pairing devices 100 sporting different designs or shapes may be used.

It should also be noted that the pairing device 100 may be used to pair any two items, even dissimilar items, that could be grouped together. For example, it may be desirable to pair different undergarments, or a shirt with a particular pair of pants, or a hat with a particular pair of gloves. The pairing device 100 may be used to group any items during laundering, or during transport.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pairing device for clothing comprising: a base with at least one substantially flat surface base having a central axis perpendicular to a plane; and two shafts attached to the substantially flat surface and parallel to the central axis at the point of attachment, the two shaft each having pointed ends, the shafts sized so as to be able to penetrate the clothing material without damaging it; wherein the two shafts are resilient, flexible and curved outwardly such that the pointed ends extend parallel to the substantially flat surface and in opposite directions with respect to each other.
 2. The pairing device of claim 1, wherein the two shafts are flexible such that a user can bend the outwardly curved shafts into a straight position to facilitate insertion into the clothing material.
 3. The pairing device of claim 1, wherein the two shafts are flexible such that a user can bend the outwardly curved shafts into a straight position to facilitate insertion of the shafts into the clothing material, wherein, upon release of the shafts by the user, the shafts return to their respective outwardly curved position.
 4. The pairing device of claim 1, wherein the device is made from one of nylon, polypropylene, Delrin®, and polyurethane.
 5. A method of pairing clothing, the method comprising the steps of: providing a pairing device having a base and two resilient shafts attached to a flat portion of the base; bringing together two resilient shafts, the resilient shafts having pointed ends and normally being curved outwardly from a central portion of the base such that the pointed ends extend in opposite directions with respect to each other, wherein bringing together two resilient shafts comprises aligning the pointed ends such that the two resilient shafts are parallel and abutting; inserting the pointed ends into a pair of clothing items such the individual parts of the pair of clothing items are securely held together when the pointed ends are allowed to return to their normally outwardly-curved positions.
 6. The method of claims 5, further comprising bringing together two resilient shafts, wherein bringing together two resilient shafts comprises aligning the pointed ends such that the two resilient shafts are parallel and abutting, to remove one of the individual parts of the pair of clothing items from the pairing device before allowing the pointed ends to return to their normally outwardly-curved positions.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the pair of clothing items is a pair of socks.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the pair of clothing items is a pair of gloves or mittens. 